- A North West regional court sentenced a man to 15 years in prison for stabbing his former girlfriend. Another man received a 10-year sentence for rape.
- Shadrack Sibiya is still in custody after being denied bail. Suliman Carrim and Brown Mogotsi both face ongoing criminal cases.
- Other cases include the alleged killing of a nine-year-old boy by a man previously convicted of murder, and an alleged staged kidnapping that was meant to get ransom money.
A 25-year-old man has received a 15-year prison sentence after stabbing his former girlfriend in the back. He accused her of cheating before the attack.
The Bafokeng Regional Court handed down the sentence to Aroni Mabunda after finding him guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, in terms of the Domestic Violence Act.
The incident happened on 10 October 2025. Mabunda stabbed his ex-girlfriend once in the back, causing serious injuries that kept her in hospital for two weeks. Mabunda pleaded not guilty, but the State secured a conviction with witness testimony led by Prosecutor Zola Mpayipheli.
During sentencing, the prosecution argued that gender-based violence is still a major problem in South Africa and that violence against women should be punished appropriately. The prosecutor said the sentence should show how serious the crime was and help discourage violence in relationships.
The court said it was concerned that some people still ignore women’s safety and the law, even with the sentences imposed by courts. It stressed that violence should never be used to solve problems in relationships. The National Prosecuting Authority praised both Mpayipheli and investigating officer Sergeant Tshireletso Ramafoko for their work on the case.
Man sentenced to 10 years for raping ex-girlfriend’s partner
The Tlhabane Regional Court sentenced 42-year-old Tshepo Sethoane to 10 years in prison for raping his ex-girlfriend’s partner. Sethoane was convicted of rape under Section 51(2) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997.
The offence happened on 14 December 2024 in Phokeng. The complainant, her partner and their colleagues went to a local pub after work. Sethoane, who used to date the complainant’s partner and is the father of her child, was also at the pub.
Later that night, the complainant wanted to go home because she felt tired and drunk. Her partner went with her, and Sethoane offered to walk with them. When they got home, the complainant went to bed and fell asleep. Her partner later went to the main house to check on her children, leaving Sethoane outside.
The complainant later woke up to find Sethoane having sex with her without her consent. She confronted him and pushed him away. He apologised and left, and she later reported the incident to the police.
During sentencing, Prosecutor Nolubabalo Cele spoke about the harm the complainant suffered and said her vulnerability as a member of the LGBTIQ+ community should be taken into account. The court agreed that her sexual orientation was an important factor and recognised the seriousness of violence against vulnerable people.
However, the court found that Sethoane’s poor health was a substantial and compelling reason to go lighter than the minimum sentence. He was also declared unfit to own a firearm under Section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
Previously convicted murderer appears over boy’s alleged killing
A 26-year-old man with a previous murder conviction has appeared in the Upington District Court. He is accused of killing a nine-year-old boy in Louisevale Dorp, near Upington.
Willem Koper was in court after an incident that allegedly happened in the early hours of 18 October 2026. The child, a Grade 2 learner at Frank Biggs Primary School, was reportedly stabbed to death while he was sleeping.
According to the State, Koper was in a relationship with a relative of the child. The couple allegedly argued the night before, and the woman left the house to avoid further confrontation. She did not return that night. Koper allegedly went back to the house and stabbed the child while he was sleeping in the room where the woman would usually sleep.
Koper was found guilty of murder on 2 July 2021. He was also convicted of statutory rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm later that same week. He was sentenced to eight years for murder and five years for assault. He was released on parole on 20 August 2025, with his parole set to end on 1 July 2029.
The State plans to oppose bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged crime, concerns for public safety and Koper’s criminal history. The case was postponed to 29 October 2026 for a possible bail application. Koper is still in custody and police are continuing with their investigation.
Sibiya remains in custody after bail refusal
Former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya is still in custody after the Randburg Magistrate’s Court turned down his bail application.
The court found that Sibiya had not shown the exceptional circumstances needed to be released. Concerns included alleged witness intimidation, possible interference with the teenage complainant’s family and the potential destruction of evidence.
The State presented claims about what happened to a cellphone and threats allegedly made against the complainant’s family. These were considered in the bail hearing, but they do not by themselves prove guilt on the charges.
Sibiya is facing charges including rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking. The case involves allegations about a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman. Sibiya denies the sexual grooming claims and says his encounter with the adult complainant was consensual.
Carrim’s vehicle case postponed in Musina
Businessman Suliman Carrim appeared in the Musina Magistrate’s Court over allegations involving two vehicles stopped at the Beitbridge border post in July.
The State claims the vehicles, which belonged to Absa, were going to be taken across the border using fake documents. Carrim faces charges related to attempted vehicle theft and the alleged use of fraudulent papers. Reports also mention possible money laundering charges.
The hearing was postponed because of a busy court roll and logistical problems. The case is now set for 30 October 2026, and Carrim remains in custody. Carrim is also involved in other proceedings in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where he is accused of not appearing before the Madlanga Commission. His bail application in that matter was postponed to 28 October 2026.
Mogotsi’s case postponed for further information
Brown Mogotsi appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on 23 October 2026. His case was postponed to 13 November. Mogotsi faces charges that include unlawful possession of a firearm, perjury and defeating the ends of justice. The charges are linked to an alleged staged shooting in Vosloorus in November 2025.
The State claims that the shooting was staged and that Mogotsi fired at his own vehicle. These allegations still need to be tested in court. The defence is asking for more information to prepare, including cellphone records, employment details for State witnesses, proof of residence, unredacted witness statements and any video footage.
The postponement gives the State time to respond to an affidavit from the defence. Mogotsi has been in custody since his arrest in May 2026 and has already been denied bail.
Two accused face charges over alleged staged kidnapping
Ntombifuthi Mavis Rumo, 37, appeared briefly in the Kwa-Thema Magistrates’ Court for a case involving an alleged staged kidnapping that was meant to get money from her family. Her co-accused, Bonginkosi Mndebele, 27, could not appear as he was in hospital. Both face charges of defeating the administration of justice.
The State claims that on 7 October 2026, Rumo, Mndebele and another person who has not yet been charged talked about staging Rumo’s kidnapping because of financial problems. They allegedly called Rumo’s family and demanded money for her release. When the family could not pay, those involved released Rumo on 12 October and left her at Vlakfontein Road, asking her family to pick her up.
Police investigated the reported kidnapping, and Rumo was arrested on 20 October after her husband took her to the police. After her arrest, she named Mndebele to investigators. The case was postponed to 29 October 2026 for bail investigations and for Mndebele to appear. The State plans to oppose bail for both accused.
Life sentence for raping daughter’s 12-year-old friend
The Wesselsbron Regional Court sentenced 66-year-old William Sehloho to life imprisonment for raping his daughter’s 12-year-old friend at his home on 15 December 2025. Sehloho was found guilty of rape under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, which prescribes life imprisonment for the rape of a child under 16 unless substantial and compelling circumstances exist.
The child had visited to see Sehloho’s daughter but found that her friend was absent and Sehloho was alone. He raped her, and her 11-year-old brother witnessed the incident after going to look for her.
During sentencing, the State argued that the seriousness of the offence and the trauma suffered by the child justified life imprisonment. A victim impact statement detailed the harm caused by the rape. The court agreed with the prosecution and imposed the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for the rape of a minor.
Attorney denied bail in alleged R5.2 million RAF fraud
The KuGompo Magistrates’ Court refused bail to attorney Precious Muleya, who faces charges of fraud and, alternatively, theft in relation to Road Accident Fund (RAF) claims allegedly worth R5.2 million. Under South African law, bail can be denied if there is a likelihood that the accused will evade trial or disrupt the administration of justice.
Muleya was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on 30 September 2026 after returning from the United Kingdom. The State argued that she posed a flight risk because she had left South Africa after a warrant for her arrest was issued.
The allegations concern claims submitted on behalf of at least 12 beneficiaries between August 2019 and February 2021. Investigators allege that the claims were inflated using forged medical reports and invoices, including documents attributed to practitioners who had allegedly not assessed or treated the claimants.
The RAF allegedly paid amounts ranging from R150,000 to R947,000 on the claims. Muleya told the court that she intended to remain in South Africa, reopen her law firm and maintain contact with her child and clients. The court nevertheless refused bail after considering the State’s concerns about the risk that she might evade trial.
The matter was postponed to 11 November 2026 for her first appearance in the KuGompo Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. The State indicated that its investigation had been completed.
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